
SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLY
29
Medo-Persia, of Greece. He sought to slay the royal seed and
the church through Babylon; through Medo-Persia, by
Haman; through Greece, by Antiochus Epiphanes; through
pagan Rome, by Herod and Pilate, under the reign of the
former of whom Jesus was born, and under the latter He
died. Knowing that the Son of God whom he hated in
heaven would come in the likeness of sinful flesh, the devil
resolved to destroy the race, the universe, at one fell blow,
by destroying the One who had undertaken the vindication
of God's character of love and the salvation of sinners. He
read the promises to the seed through Abraham, Isaac, Ja-
cob, Judah, David, and their seed.
7. The 'Child is born in lowly Bethlehem, according to the
very prophecy which predicted Zion's travail. Micah 5: 2.
We can trace Satan's planning in the full inn, that the
mother might be exposed in the cold, open night; in the
jealousy of Herod when he slays the children, calculating to
destroy the infant Redeemer. The devil plotted destruction
of His character, plotted the destruction of His life, and
finally, through the power of pagan Rome, accomplished it
under Pilate, a Roman governor, on a Roman cross, and
shut Him in a rock sepulcher under a Roman seal.
' 8. Jesus was caught up to God and to His throne in His
resurrection from the dead.
9.
The combatants show that this warfare which began
in heaven above was now continuing in "heavenly places"
(that is, the spiritual realm). "Michael" means, "who is •
like God." Jude 9; 1 Thess. 4: 16; John 5: 28, 39; Dan. 12: 1,
show this Archangel to be identical with the Son of God
among the angels, even as He was Jesus the Son of God
among men. And this conflict was waged from the time of
sin's entrance till "the Word became flesh."
10.
"Prevailed not." Thank God that in all the conflicts,
the devil and demons "prevailed not." Righteousness was
stronger than sin; love stronger than hate; truth stronger
than a lie; right stronger than might. God was vindicated
by His Son every step of the way.
- "Neither was their place found any more in heaven."
Until that mighty demonstration of God's justice and wis-
dom and lovethe crucifixion—even the angels of God were
on probation, perplexed over Satan's charges, yet loyal to
the Master. They did not, could not understand what it all
meant. Until the great question was settled, God in some
way had allowed the fallen ,angels certain privileges of ap-
proach that were not now to be longer granted. Job 1: 6.
When the vindictive hate of the devil and his angels com-
passed the death of Infinite Love, and when, by the power
of an endless life, Jesus had triumphed over death, all the
powers of darkness were cast down yet again.